Pulp guitarist Mark Webber has a new photo memorabilia book on the band alongside its North American tour dates

Pulp guitarist Mark Webber has announced I’m With Pulp, Are You?, a personal history of Pulp, out via Hat & Beard Press on September 30. Throughout the book, Webber has gathered material from the extensive collection of ephemera and objects that he has accumulated over four decades of involvement with the band.

The book combines images with Webber’s reminiscences to chronicle a history of Pulp, told from the inside and features photographs, flyers, record covers, setlists, badges, posters, press clippings, and merchandise, alongside masses of promotional material to present a unique history of one of Britain’s most beloved bands. I'm With Pulp, Are You? also features a foreword by Jarvis Cocker, and newly commissioned essays by music writers Simon Reynolds and Luke Turner.

Pre-Order I’m With Pulp, Are You? Here

Webber explains, “I began to excavate the boxes of Pulp ephemera that I’d hoarded over the years and was amazed to discover so many things that I hadn’t seen for decades, things I’d completely forgotten about. It’s taken a while to get it all together into a book, and in the meantime the group unexpectedly reunited to go on tour again. I’m excited to finally share the stuff I’ve saved, and to present it in this way, along with memories of my experiences of being involved in Pulp from the 1980s ’til now.”

When Mark Webber discovered Pulp as a teenage music fan in 1985, the band was on first-name terms with most of their limited audience. Over the next few years, Mark began to help out with stage sets and light shows, eventually becoming the group’s first tour manager and running the fan club. Having been called upon to play guitar and keyboards at live shows, he began to contribute to songwriting and recordings before being asked to join the band in 1995. This incredible backstory – from being a fan to joining his favorite band – provides the unique perspective of I’m With Pulp, Are You?

Pulp formed in 1978, while frontman Jarvis Cocker was still at school. After many years and personnel changes, they finally began to achieve widespread recognition in the 1990s with hit singles like “Babies,” “Do You Remember the First Time?” and “Common People,” and the albums Different Class and This is Hardcore. Following a hiatus that started in 2002, Pulp made a surprise return to play concerts in 2011-12 and are currently back on tour again.

Having recently completed sold out shows in the UK and Latin America, the “encore” continues with European summer festivals and a sold-out US tour scheduled for Fall 2024. Dates and tickets available here.

Early copies of I’m With Pulp, Are You? will also be sold on the band’s US tour.

I’m With Pulp, Are You? by Mark Webber

Hardcover, 288 pages, full color
8.25 inches x 10.25 inches | 21 cm. x 26 cm.
Texts by Mark Webber
Foreword by Jarvis Cocker
Additional essays by Simon Reynolds and Luke Turner
Publish Date: September 20, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-955125-06-2

Pulp North American Live Dates:

Sept 8 Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Sept 10 Toronto, CA @ History
Sept 11 Toronto, CA @ History
Sept 13 Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre
Sept 14 Brooklyn, NY @ Kings Theatre
Sept 16 San Francisco, CA @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Sept 18 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
Sept 19 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
Sept 21 Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers news

A new deluxe edition of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ 1982 album, Long After Dark, will be released via Geffen/UMe on October 18. Pre-order/pre-save here. The Petty Legacy archives will share previously unseen newly remastered film and audio from 1982 to 1983 this year, beginning with a new video for the French TV version of “Straight Into Darkness” featuring footage of the band performing at the Record Plant by director Alan Bibby—watch here and listen here.

“There was some music recorded for Long After Dark that didn’t get on the record, that I thought would’ve made it a better album,” said Tom Petty in a past interview. “I left off…four things that I liked quite a bit. And probably a few more written that never even got in the door.”

Looking back on their third and final album together, legendary rock music producer Jimmy Iovine reflects, “Long After Dark, we thought we had it. Sounded like Positively Fourth Street, sounded like one of those records, you know. By the way, I think it is!”

The album features rock ballads and guitar anthems backed by The Heartbreakers, including founding members Mike Campbell (lead guitar), Benmont Tench (keyboards), Stan Lynch (drums), plus the then-new addition of Howie Epstein on bass and backing vocals.

Long After Dark (Deluxe Edition) will feature the songs that were lost in the debate over the album’s original direction such as Petty’s version of “Never Be You”—which was a #1 country hit for Rosanne Cash, “Don’t Make Me Walk the Line,” and an up-tempo version of “Ways To Be Wicked,” which was previously covered by Lone Justice, recorded at Applewood Studios in Denver, Colorado. Many of the additional tracks are taken from the French TV sessions, including acoustic songs “Turning Point” and the Everly Brothers influenced “Keeping Me Alive.”

Long After Dark went Top 10 in Billboard, was certified gold and spawned “You Got Lucky,” “Change of Heart” and “Straight Into Darkness.” 

“It’s a good little rock & roll record” but also “a tough record because I never knew if we were making the right decisions about songs,” Petty shared in Paul Zollo’s interview anthology book, Conversations With Tom Petty.

Long After Dark (Deluxe Edition) features the newly remastered original album from the original analog master tapes, plus 12 rediscovered bonus tracks newly mixed by Petty’s longtime engineer Ryan Ulyate, liner notes by David Fricke, with commentary from Jimmy Iovine and Cameron Crowe and archival photographs by Dennis Callahan, Neal Preston and Aaron Rapoport.

The set will be released in a variety of configurations: a limited edition TomPetty.com 2LP pressing on 180-gram red with black splatter color vinyl, housed in a numbered foil tip-on jacket with an exclusive lithograph; a 3-disc set featuring 2 CDs, and a Blu-ray audio disc with additional hi-res stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes of the album and bonus tracks, also mixed by Ulyate; a variety of additional vinyl options includes a 2LP on 180-gram black vinyl; a limited edition 1LP 180-gram turquoise color vinyl pressing (main album only) with double-sided lithograph of Blaze Brooks’ illustrations (available exclusively at indie record stores). The album will also be available at all streaming, download and HD audio download partners.

For more info, complete track listing and to pre-order 2 LP versions and 3-disc set visit the official Tom Petty store.

Track Listing:

DISC 1

1. A One Story Town

2. You Got Lucky
3. Deliver Me
4. Change Of Heart
5. Finding Out
6. We Stand A Chance
7. Straight Into Darkness
8. The Same Old You
9. Between Two Worlds
10. A Wasted Life

DISC 2

1. Stories We Could Tell (French TV)
2. Never Be You *
3. Turning Point (Original Drums Version)
4. Don’t Make Me Walk The Line *
5. I’m Finding Out (French TV) *
6. Heartbreakers Beach Party (Extended Version)
7. Keeping Me Alive (French TV)
8. Straight Into Darkness (French TV)
9. Ways To Be Wicked (Denver Sessions) *
10. Between Two Worlds (French TV) *
11. One On One *
12. Wild Thing *

* previously unreleased

Relive your Coachella '24 experience via visual art and support a good cause

Some Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival-inspired posters - a collaboration between a Coachella 2024 attendee and professional artist - are now available to download. The POSTed Studio offers a platform where music fans can design posters and listen to speakers addressing important environmental and social issues. The concepts were brought to life by various artists. 

Go the www.globalinheritance.org for the collection of POSTed Studio x Coachella 2024 posters from each weekend to download now. These South American Artists designed the Coachella Weekend One posters: Fafo Ferrao, Brabra Isuiza, Jose Elgueta, Bianca Mendes, Ashley Dreyfus, Manu Correa Soto, Arthur Traldix, Nathalia Escalona, Voyager, Zoe Cain, Feminist Jazzy, James Junk, Franki Chan, and Amir Mrzae. 

Many Coachella '24 attendees (including this writer) saw No Doubt reunite. Fans can own a piece of Coachella history and support environmental programming in the classrooms. Those who make a donation will be entered into a raffle to win the No Doubt-inspired Art of Recycling bin featured at Coachella. 

These 65-gallon designer bins are not just attention-grabbing; they are a statement about the importance of making a commitment to our planet and practicing the 5 R’s—refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle. Global Inheritance will donate a second bin to a school looking to launch new sustainability programs.

Check out the 2024 Art of Recycling gallery via Flickr.

Dave Edmunds singles retrospective on the way next month

Dave Edmunds has revealed Swan Songs: The Singles 1976–1981, a 39-track collection to be released on September 27 through Omnivore Recordings. It covers every A- and B-side from that period. They span covers of contemporaries Graham Parker, Elvis Costello, and more.

Huey Lewis & The News had a hit with “Bad Is Bad,” but Dave released it in 1979. Same with Hank DeVito’s “Queen Of Hearts,” with Juice Newton took onto the US airwaves years later. Bob Seger’s “Get Out Of Denver,” and John Fogerty’s “Almost Saturday Night” are other examples. 

With new mastering and restoration, the packaging of this double-CD and double-LP features a look at picture sleeves and detailed liner notes from Joe Marchese which outline Edmunds’ history as performer, band leader and producer (Stray Cats' version of “The Race Is On”).

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/0EOeNSn8ZxQ

Pre-order Swan Songs: The Singles 1976–1981: www.omnivorerecordings.com/shop/swan-songs

LP track listing:

SIDE 1

1. Here Comes The Weekend

2. As Lovers Do
3. Where Or When
4. New York’s A Lonely Town
5. Juju Man
6. What Did I Do Last Night?
7. I Knew The Bride
8. Back To Schooldays

SIDE 2

1. Little Darlin’
2. Get Out Of Denver
3. Worn Out Suits, Brand New Pockets
4. Deborah
5. What Looks Best On You
6. Television
7. Never Been In Love
8. Trouble Boys

SIDE 3

1. A.1. On The Jukebox
2. It’s My Own Business
3. Girls Talk
4. Bad Is Bad
5. Queen Of Hearts
6. The Creature From The Black Lagoon

SIDE 4

1. Crawling From The Wreckage
2. Singing The Blues
3. Boys Talk
4. Almost Saturday Night
5. You’ll Never Get Me Up (In One Of Those)
6. The Race Is On (with the Stray Cats)
7. (I’m Gonna Start) Living Again If It Kills Me

The Pogues’ debut album 'Red Roses for Me' to get expanded reissue

To celebrate its 40th anniversary on October 15, The Pogues’ debut album, Red Roses For Me, is to be reissued on two formats: recycled red vinyl containing the 2013 remix of the album and a double-CD set, including the album and B-sides and a bonus disc of the band’s BBC sessions from 1984.

These anniversary formats will be released on October 18 and are available to pre-order via Rhino Records.

The album includes traditional songs, originals by the late Shane MacGowan and instrumentals - about death and drink, love and London. Single B-sides The Leaving Of Liverpool and The Wild Rover were produced by Elvis Costello, who would work with the Celtic punk band on its more successful follow up, Run Sodomy and The Lash.

Track listing: 

2CD set 

CD1 - 2013 Remix 

1. Transmetropolitan 

2. The Battle Of Brisbane 

3. The Auld Triangle 

4. Waxie’s Dargle 

5. Boys From The County Hell 

6. Sea Shanty 

7. Dark Streets Of London 

8. Streams Of Whiskey 

9. Poor Paddy 

10. Dingle Regatta 

11. Greenland Whale Fisheries 

12. Down In The Ground Where The Dead Men Go 

13. Kitty 

CD2 Single B-Sides 

1. The Leaving Of Liverpool 

2. Muirshin Durkin 

3. Repeal Of The Licensing Laws 

4. And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda 

5. Whiskey You’re The Devil 

6. The Wild Rover 

BBC SESSIONS 

John Peel Session - 10th April 1984 

7. Streams Of Whiskey 

8. Greenland Whale Fisheries 

9. Boys From The County Hell 

10. The Auld Triangle David ‘Kid’ Jensen Sessions - 21st June 1984 

11. Dingle Regatta/Holly Johnsons 

12. Poor Paddy On The Railway 

13. Boys From The County Hell 

14. Connemara, Let’s Go! 

John Peel Session - 4th December 1984 

15. Whiskey You’re The Devil 

16. The Navigator 

17. Sally MacLennane 

18. Danny Boy Single 

LP - 2013 Remix 

Side A 

1. Transmetropolitan 

2. The Battle Of Brisbane 

3. The Auld Triangle 

4. Waxie’s Dargle 

5. Boys From The County Hell 

6. Sea Shanty 

7. Dark Streets Of London 

Side B 

1. Streams Of Whiskey 

2. Poor Paddy 

3. Dingle Regatta 

4. Greenland Whale Fisheries 

5. Down In The Ground Where The Dead Men Go 

6. Kitty

iDKHOW sets dates for fall U.S. tour

I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME (iDKHOW), the RIAA Gold-certified musical project of Salt Lake City, UT singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Dallon Weekes announced the iMPENDiNG GLOOM Tour with special guest ALEXSUCKS.

The band will continue to celebrate the latest #1 Alternative New Music charting release, GLOOM DIVISION, with the tour kicking off on October 26 at Las Vegas, NV’s House of Blues and will trek across the US.

“The GLOOMTOWN Tour was the most fun I’ve had on the road in years,” says Dallon Weekes. “I’m so grateful that there are people in the world that want to see these songs live. I can’t wait to do it again for the iMPENDiNG GLOOM Tour!”

The newly announced iMPENDiNG GLOOM Tour follows this past spring’s sold-out North American leg of iDKHOW’s GLOOMTOWN Tour, celebrating their acclaimed new album, GLOOM DIVISION, available now via Concord Records.

Produced by Dave Fridmann (Tame Impala, MGMT, The Flaming Lips), the album – which includes such singles as “WHAT LOVE?,” “INFATUATION,” and “DOWNSIDE,” all joined by official music videos streaming now at YouTube – made an impressive chart debut upon its February 2024 arrival, landing at #1 on Alternative New Music, #2 on New Artist, #4 at Indie Record Stores, and #7 on Billboard’s “Heatseekers.”

To date, iDKHOW has garnered nearly one billion streams worldwide to date, with two million monthly listeners on Spotify. The new album follows iDKHOW's critically acclaimed debut, Razzmatazz, which included the #1 Alternative radio hit "Leave Me Alone," and the previous EP 1981 Extended Play that included RIAA certified GOLD-certified single Choke.” They have performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ellen and CBS This Morning: Saturday, and shared stages with Post Malone, The Killers and more.

Upcoming Dates:

Sat, AUG 31
Bumbershoot 2024
Seattle, WA

Fri, OCT 4
Empire Control Room & Garage
Austin, TX

Sat, OCT 5
Austin City Limits Music Festival 2024
Austin, TX

Sat, OCT 26
House of Blues Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

Sun, OCT 27
The Wiltern
Los Angeles, CA

Tue, OCT 29
The Nile Theater
Mesa, AZ

Fri, NOV 1
House of Blues Dallas
Dallas, TX

Sun, NOV 3
The Joy Theater
New Orleans, LA

Mon, NOV 4
Iron City Bham
Birmingham, AL

Wed, NOV 6
Jannus Live
St Petersburg, FL

Thu, NOV 7
The Masquerade
Atlanta, GA

Fri, NOV 8
The Ritz
Raleigh, NC

Sat, NOV 9
Rams Head Live!
Baltimore, MD

Mon, NOV 11
Lincoln Theatre
Washington, DC

Tue, NOV 12
Starland Ballroom
Sayreville, NJ

Thu, NOV 14
The Fillmore Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Fri, NOV 15
Big Night Live
Boston, MA

Sat, NOV 16
Water Street Music Hall
Rochester, NY

Mon, NOV 18
Saint Andrew's Hall
Detroit, MI

Tue, NOV 19
KEMBA Live!
Columbus, OH

Thu, NOV 21
Concord Music Hall
Chicago, IL

Fri, NOV 22
Old National Centre
Indianapolis, IN

Sun, NOV 24
First Avenue
Minneapolis, MN

Mon, NOV 25
Slowdown
Omaha, NE

Wed, NOV 27
The Complex
Salt Lake City, UT

Photo by Lauren Perry, courtesy Concord Records

Concert review: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss with JD McPherson in Highland, Calif.

The epitome of classic rock frontmen as a member of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant was sometimes called a “golden god” for his electrifying stage presence. Yet the Americana music the British singer has made with critically acclaimed, award-winning bluegrass artist Alison Krauss – 2007’s highly acclaimed, multiple Grammy-winning debut album Raising Sand, and equally engaging 2021 sophomore effort Raise the Roof - translates into a calm, cool, and collected manner onstage.

Still, whenever Plant added a dramatic vocal flourish to the folk noir tunes and other selections during a captivating concert on Sunday with Krauss at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland, Calif., it brought down the house. The energy level also climbed exponentially each time a handful of Led Zeppelin tunes were performed.

Interestingly, the venue bars offered special Plant and Krauss-themed cocktails, including a Raise the Roof Margarita, High and Lonesome Paloma, Trouble with My Lover Mule and Can’t Let Go Whiskey Sour.

Krauss and Plant’s harmonies were seamless throughout the 90-minute Yaamava’ Theater show. They frequently traded lead duties. Plant watched her honeyed vocal turns in obvious admiration. In a 2022 Billboard interview after the initial Raise the Roof tour. Plant said of Krauss, “I always find it such as adventure to join and contribute to her personality as a lead singer. I love that. I didn’t have that for several years.”

Opening the 17-song set with the slow, shimmering reverb-drenched sound of “Rich Woman,” the singers entered from opposite sides of the stage, clasped hands and started. The slinky Allen Toussaint stomper “Fortune Teller” was an early highlight, especially with JD McPherson’s wicked electric guitar solo ending. The tight five-piece band – all but McPherson recorded the latest album – continually displayed power in subtlety. The quick, rockabilly tinged “Can’t Let Go” was riveting. Haunting ballad “The Price of Love,” the first of three Everly Brothers-written or popularized songs included in the set, proved trance-inducing.

Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” became a feisty, violin-infused hoedown in the Plant and Krauss band’s hands. He did a slight wail and seemed pleased by the overwhelmingly positive reaction. Krauss played fiddle alongside Stuart Duncan on a bunch of songs, resulting in a fascinating push and pull dynamic.

A folk take on “In the Mood” (Plant’s Top 10 AOR radio hit from 1983) worked nicely. It led straight into the gorgeous Krauss-led traditional English folk ballad “Matty Groves” and a frantic cover of Zeppelin’s “Gallows Pole,” where the violin strains really came in handy. The group continued with intense reworked versions of Zeppelin classics like “The Battle of Evermore” and epic main set closer, “When the Levee Breaks.”

Come encore time, Plant and Krauss returned to sing the beautifully hushed Everlys-via-Mel Tillis ballad “Stick with Me Baby” and another Phil and Don tune, the rocking “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On),” as McPherson proved his mettle on lead guitar once again.

Throughout the evening, Plant let the music do most of the talking, except toward the end, when he mentioned having a spectacular time and feeling emotional. Fans likely did too after experiencing the duo’s mesmerizing performance.

McPherson delivered a sharp half-hour set with his own band that came across like an exciting mix of Jack White and The Black Keys. Standouts included catchy recent single “Sunshine Getaway” (off upcoming fifth album Nite Owls), the skittering, bluesy “Lucky Penny” (from 2017’s Undivided Heart & Soul), plus a low-key cover of Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life.”

Remaining Can’t Let Go U.S. Tour Dates:

AUG. 29 – Santa Fe, NM – Santa Fe Opera

AUG. 31 – Colorado Springs, CO – Ford Amphitheater

SEPT. 1 – Vail, CO – Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater

Selected Yaamava’ Theater Shows:

SEPT. 3 – Chris Isaak

SEPT. 5 – Buddy Guy

SEPT. 19 – Bret Michaels & Vince Neil

SEPT. 28 – Experience Hendrix featuring Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson

SEPT. 29 – The Cult

OCT. 1 – Tom Jones

OCT. 5 – Flogging Molly

OCT. 7 – Godsmack

NOV. 8 – Tesla

NOV. 11-12 – Styx

NOV. 22 – America

DEC. 18 – Beat: Eighties King Crimson albums performed by Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Steve Vai, Danny Carey

Photos by Becky Herrington, courtesy Yaamava' Resort and Casino

This review originally ran at rockcellarmagazine.com.

Concert review: Squeeze, Culture Club in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Squeeze, the London pop/rock band which put out its self-titled debut album co-produced by the Velvet Underground's John Cale in 1978, notched multiple top 40 UK singles over the next two decades. Stateside, the band had a half dozen modern rock radio hits and a top 15 charter on the Billboard Hot 100 with Hourglass. 

On Wednesday night at the Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, Squeeze delivered a sharp and crowd-pleasing 70-minute, 16-song set that comprised all its best-known songs (in fact, everything off the 1982 compilation Singles-45's and Under was played).

Singer/songwriters Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford were in fine form throughout. The six other musicians in the band elevated the sound and harmonies to soaring heights.

Standouts included a fine new countrified acoustic arrangement of "Goodbye Girl," sweetened by mandolin, accordion and pedal steel; an enthusiastic "Pulling Mussels (From the Shell), where the audience sang along loudly; a stripped-down take on "Temped" and extended closer "Black Coffee in Bed." Squeeze also unveiled a few promising new songs off two forthcoming albums it is working on and planning to release in '25 (the idyllic "You Get the Feeling" was the strongest).

Boy George and his seven-piece backing band, including two backing singers and saxophonist performed a freewheeling and eclectic 80-minute, 16-song set that included four Culture Club classics (notably a dramatically revamped "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me" that worked well and totally joyous Motown stomp "Church of the Poison Mind" seguing into Wham's "I'm Your Man" and back again). 

This rare solo tour (George is still doing shows with Culture Club) gave him the chance to spotlight songs that he's released sporadically on streaming services the last few years, a few choice cover songs (Prince, Gary Numan's Tubeway Army, Bronski Beat) and other tunes from his catalog. 

The British singer was in a good mood, frequently making jokes, mentioning his astrological sign, early influences and making note of the audience's occasional staid reactions. At one point, he said, "You might want to stand for this one" (attendees probably thought George would do more Culture Club songs, but they can go see that group in the UK/Europe later this year or wait for a U.S. return instead). 

George steered clear from most of his UK solo hits except for the 1992 take on the Dave Berry-popularized "The Crying Game," which also reached #15 in America. In OC, it was as luxurious-sounding as ever. 

Other highlights included the sumptuous title track to 1995's Cheapness and Beauty and the moving 2022 ballad tribute to Liberace, "How to Be a Chandelier." 

Boy George fans attending tonight in LA, Friday in Rancho Mirage and especially Saturday in Las Vegas (minus Squeeze) can look forward to slightly different setlists as the artist has been changing it up a bit.

For full tour routing, see: squeezeofficial.com, boygeorgeandcultureclub.net 

Haircut 100 delights LA concert crowd after decades away

photo: Andrew Cotterill

On Aug. 20, Haircut 100 performed in Los Angeles for the first time in 42 years at a packed YouTube Theater as part of a North American tour with Howard Jones and ABC. 

Three original members - singer/guitarist Nick Heyward, guitarist/backing vocalist Graham Jones and bassist Les Nemes - did an ebullient half hour set augmented by a three-piece brass section, percussionist and drummer (Blair Cunningham was unavailable to make this trek).

Heyward, 63, was in fine vocal form and a bundle of energy onstage. He joked about his shoes, frequently got the crowd amped up and went over to Jones' side to sing in tandem. The London pop band totally got some funky grooves and breezy vibes going strong during the U.K. top 10 songs from 1982 debut album Pelican West, such as "Fantastic Day," "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" - where Heyward added an updated inclusive refrain of "boy meets boy/girl meets girl" - and "Love Plus One," the song many American music fans know. The L.A. performance proved the guys haven't missed a beat in the intervening years and was definitely worth the wait. 

Following a recent deluxe box set reissue of Pelican West, Haircut 100 is currently working on a studio album. The group's first new single in decades, "The Unloving Plum," arrives Aug. 30 and can be pre-saved here: https://slinky.to/TheUnlovingPlum

Remaining North American tour dates with Howard Jones and ABC:

AUGUST
21 Del Mar, CA The Sound
22 Mesa, AZ Celebrity Theater
24 Oklahoma City, OK The Zoo Amphitheatre
25 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater
28 Columbus, OH TempleLive At Columbus Athenaeum
29 Windsor, ON Canada Caesars Windsor – The Colosseum
30 Niagara Falls, ON Canada Fallsview Casino Resort
31 Cleveland, OH TempleLive At Cleveland Masonic

SEPTEMBER
1 Huntington, NY The Paramount
4 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont
5 Port Chester, NY The Capitol Theatre
6 Huntington, NY The Paramount

Photo courtesy Ken Phillips Publicity Group

NAMM Show '25 News

NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), the largest global not-for-profit music trade organization, has announced its initial lineup of events and exhibits for The 2025 NAMM Show, taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center January 21–25, with events beginning on Tuesday, January 21. Exhibits start January 23, through late Saturday evening, January 25, 2025.

“The NAMM Show continues to evolve based on our members’ needs, and we have heard loud and clear that we need more opportunities to network and extend our robust education offerings, while also focusing on the core exhibit hours and buying power that are the cornerstone of the week” said John Mlynczak, president and CEO of NAMM. “The 2025 NAMM Show will kick off five days and nights with a schedule that ensures each community and attendee can have the personalized experience they need to be successful in their business and profession.”

The expansion of event dates allows The NAMM Show to offer even more robust education programs for every NAMM member, including retail, brands, pro audio, entertainment technology, music education and music technology professionals, as well as tracks for artists and college music business students. Tuesday and Wednesday will include more long-form, workshop-style opportunities for attendees to dig deeper into relevant topics that will help grow our industry.

To help ensure that networking leads to success in business, more global networking receptions will take place earlier in the week, allowing attendees to make vital connections right away that will lead to focused opportunities when the exhibits are open for business. A full list of 2025 NAMM Show exhibitors, companies and brands from around the globe can be found at https://www.namm.org/thenammshow/attend

NAMM will continue to announce, throughout the fall and winter, new additions to exhibits and events as well as must-see artists and performances that will make The 2025 NAMM Show the ultimate destination for the global music industry. The initial full schedule of detailed events will be posted on November 4.

NAMM Week 2025 Preliminary Schedule

Tuesday, January 21

NAMM Foundation Day of Service and Networking with the Pros
Education offerings for exhibiting brands, including a workshop on influencer-marketing strategy
Networking opportunities
International Networking Reception

Wednesday, January 22

Global Media Day, featuring iconic brands and formal executive remarks that focus on new music industry product introductions from top music brands to startups
Education sessions and workshops on the latest in AI for business, content creation and the financial management of a music business, as well as hands-on Dante training for pro audio.
International Coalition meetings and global receptions
Top 100 Dealer Awards ceremony

Thursday, January 23

Industry Insights breakfast session with NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak, along with music industry special guests
A robust program of educational sessions for retail, manufacturer brands, pro audio, entertainment technology, event safety and music education professionals, as well as artists and college music business students
Exhibits open 10 am to 6 pm at the Anaheim Convention Center
Yamaha Concert Series and Bands@NAMM
TEC Awards

Friday, January 24

NAMM U Breakfast Session Focusing on Business Marketing Trends for 2025 & Beyond
Education sessions continue for retail, manufacturer brand, pro audio, entertainment technology, event safety and music education professionals, as well as artists and college music business students
Exhibits open 10 am to 6 pm at the Anaheim Convention Center
Yamaha Concert Series and Bands@NAMM
Parnelli Awards

Saturday, January 25

Grand Rally for Music Education
Best in Show awards
Exhibits open 10 am to 5 pm at the Anaheim Convention Center
Bands@NAMM
SheRocks Awards

For more information about NAMM, please visit namm.org.

Howard Jones performs in SoCal this week with ABC, Haircut 100; 'Live at the 02' album out now

Earlier this month, New Wave hitmaker Howard Jones released 'Live at the 02,' a concert album recorded last March in London via Cherry Red Records. The exciting collection features hits, fan favorites and a credibly snazzy cover of Kajagoogoo's '80s hit "Too Shy" accompanied by current touring band member and former Kajagoogoo bassist Nick Beggs (full track listing is below). 

Highlights include "Like to Get to Know You Well," with Robin Boult's rockin' mini guitar solo; the sleek piano ballad "Hide and Seek" (which Jones prefaces by mentioning that he played it at Live Aid in 1985); "What is Love?" and some ample audience call and response action in "Things Can Only Get Better." "You Know I Love You, Don't You?" even gets an intense reworking.  

'Live at the 02' is available in limited edition recycled color vinyl with full color inner sleeve as well as via standard CD format which includes a 464mm x 348mm pull-out poster featuring the cover shot of Howard performing live at the O2. Order the LP here through the UK label and here for the CD.

Jones is currently on the road in North America with fellow Eighties pop bands ABC ("The Look of Love," "Be Near Me," "Poison Arrow") and Haircut 100 ("Love Plus One"). The latter's last U.S. appearances were 40+ years ago. Jones dedicated his sets to the late Dan Clarke, 31, a Jones tour keyboardist onstage at the London show recording. 

On Aug. 1, Jones posted to his socials, "It breaks my heart to bring you the news that our lovely Dan passed away on Sunday of cardiac arrest. Dan Clarke was a beloved member of my band. He brought energy and joy every night to the stage and was such great company on tour...I will miss him so much. Words are never enough." 

In 2022, Jones put out 'Dialogue,' the third album in a trilogy of electronic releases, with multi-media project 'Engage' (2015) and studio album 'Transform' (2019).

Haircut 100 singer/lead guitarist Nick Heyward said of the jaunt: “Ever since our last tour in 1982, we’ve been pining to play in North America again, so this is a dream come true for us. Come down early and get your dancing shoes on, because there’s a lot of catching up to do.” Fellow co-founding members Graham Jones (guitars), Les Nemes (bass) and five additional players will be playing onstage with brass and percussion.

'Live at the 02' LP track listing:

SIDE 1

1. Intro
2. Pearl In The Shell
3. New Song
4. Like To Get To Know You Well
5. The One To Love You
6. Too Shy

SIDE 2
1. Hide & Seek
2. The Human Touch
3. You Know I Love You… Don’t You?
4. What Is Love?
5. Things Can Only Get Better
6. Things Can Only Get Better (Remix)

Tour dates:

AUGUST

20 Inglewood, CA YouTube Theater
21 Del Mar, CA The Sound

22 Mesa, AZ Celebrity Theater
24 Oklahoma City, OK The Zoo Amphitheatre

25 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater 
28 Columbus, OH TempleLive At Columbus Athenaeum
29 Windsor, ON Canada Caesars Windsor – The Colosseum
30 Niagara Falls, ON Canada Fallsview Casino Resort
31 Cleveland, OH TempleLive At Cleveland Masonic

SEPTEMBER

1 Huntington, NY The Paramount
4 Montclair, NJ The Wellmont
5 Port Chester, NY The Capitol Theatre
6 Huntington, NY The Paramount 

Colin Hay's Men at Work sets tour dates this fall

Colin Hay's Men At Work have announced a U.S. headlining tour this fall.

Formed in Melbourne in 1979 and best known for hits such as "Down Under", "Who Can It Be Now?", "Be Good Johnny", "Overkill", and "It's a Mistake", Men At Work achieved global success as a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum selling act before disbanding in 1985. Due to demand, members Colin Hay and Greg Ham reunited in 1996, and revived Men At Work, touring the world until 2002.

Following the death of Greg Ham, and while touring Europe as part of Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band in 2018, Colin Hay again entertained the idea of touring once more as Men At Work.

“Night after night, audiences came out to see and hear the true icon that Ringo is and showed only love and appreciation for all the All Starrs and their respective songs,” recalls Hay. “I was curious to find out if Men At Work still had an audience and how many of them there were.”

Since 2019, Colin Hay has sporadically toured and played under the Men At Work banner including a stint in 2022 with John Waite and Rick Springfield. With his LA-based group of musicians, he plays an almost exclusively Men At Work set, including all the hits and dearly loved songs, which thankfully seem to have stood the test of time.

The current touring line up of Men At Work is Jimmy Branly on drums, Yosmel Montejo on bass, and SanMiguel on guitar, all originally hailing from Cuba. On sax, flute and keyboards is Scheila Gonzalez, and Cecilia Noël on harmony vocals and percussion.

Says Colin, “I love playing in this band. Not only do we play well together, but we travel well also, which has equal importance. So, off we go on our merry way around this fair land, in the month of October 2024. Very much looking forward to it.”

TOUR DATES:

OCT 10 / DALLAS, TX @ Longhorn Ballroom
OCT 11 / NEW ORLEANS, LA @ Fillmore New Orleans
OCT 12 / PEACHTREE CITY, GA @ Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater (The Fred)
OCT 13 / CHARLESTON, SC @ Charleston Music Hall
OCT 16 / JACKSONVILLE, FL @ Florida Theater
OCT 17 / MELBOURNE, FL @ Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
OCT 18 / FORT LAUDERDALE, FL @ Broward Center for the Performing Arts
OCT 19 / CLEARWATER, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
OCT 22 / RALEIGH, NC @ Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
OCT 23 / VIRGINIA BEACH, VA @ Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
OCT 24 / CHARLOTTE, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
OCT 25 / PELHAM, TN @ The Caverns
OCT 29 / DENVER, CO @ Paramount Theatre
OCT 30 / SANTA FE, NM @ Lensic Performing Arts Center
NOV 1 / CHANDLER, AZ @ Chandler Center for the Arts
NOV 2 / ANAHEIM, CA @ City National Grove of Anaheim
NOV 3 / DEL MAR, CA @ The Sound at Del Mar

'Consequences of the Crown,' new album by Shelby Lynne, available now

Grammy winning music artist and desert dweller Shelby Lynne released her new album, Consequences of the Crown, today via Monument Records. Listen HERE.

Reflecting on the project, Lynne says, “I am going where it feels right to take a step. Breathing. Feeling the power of this music I lived for a time, another chapter in my life. I am grateful to be alive. I am grateful to you for listening to my life. This is the moment. We all wear a crown of consequences.”

The album was co-produced by Lynne, Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild, Ashley Monroe, and Gena Johnson. It is Lynne’s first new album since returning to Nashville after 25 years away. In addition to Lynne, Fairchild and Monroe, the record also features contributions from Waylon Payne, Jedd Hughes, Angaleena Presley (Pistol Annies) and others. 

Fairchild and Monroe also co-wrote the single “Gone To Bed” (Listen/share HERE). About the song, Lynne comments, “This one is my truth, as bare as my soul can be.”

Lynne has spent the last couple of months setting the stage for the record by releasing tracks "Gone To Bed," “Butterfly,” “Over and Over,” and “But I Ain’t”. The latter tune serves as a bridge between her past and present work, as it interpolates “Dreamsome,” a standout track from I Am Shelby Lynne, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary. In honor of the I Am Shelby Lynne anniversary, a special reissue of the album was released earlier this spring via Monument Records – Stream/purchase HERE.

She will perform at The Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, August 20, supporting Little Big Town. A month later, the Americana Music Association will recognize her among its 2024 “Lifetime Achievement Honorees” during its 23rd annual Americana Honors & Awards show on Wednesday, September 18 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Finally, Lynne touches down in the UK on October 24 to perform at the world-famous O2 Arena with Chris Stapleton.

Adding to an already notable year, Lynne will perform a special headline show at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Thursday, September 26, where she will perform new music and I Am Shelby Lynne in its entirety. Tickets for the show, which will feature special guests Waylon Payne and Meg McRee, are on-sale now HERE.

In addition to releasing sixteen studio albums, Lynne has also been named Top New Female Vocalist at the 26th Annual ACM Awards, been featured in numerous movies and TV shows (including Oscar and Golden Globe-winning film, Walk The Line) and performed alongside artists such as Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Lyle Lovett, her sister Allison Moorer and many more.

Track listing:

1. Truth We Know

2. Consequences
3. Butterfly
4. But I Ain’t
5. Shattered
6. Gone To Bed
7. Clouds
8. Regular Man
9. Over and Over
10. Good Morning Mountain
11. Dear God
12. Keep The Light On

Coldplay news

Coldplay has unveiled the track listing for its 10th album, Moon Music, appearing in stores and on streaming services October 4 (see below).

A new single featuring Burna Boy, Little Simz, Elyanna and Tini, is slated for next Friday.

Moon Music will set new standards for sustainability, with each LP made from 100% recycled plastic bottles (nine per record). It is available to pre-order now on EcoCD, EcoRecord LP and download. The album can also be pre-saved on Spotify.

Previously, a Balearic remix of first single "Feels Like I'm Falling in Love, was created alongside Brazilian electronic artist Zerb in the band’s backstage studio during some Dusseldorf stadium shows. Footage of Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland recording new guitar parts for the remix can be seen here, while Zerb shared a behind-the-scenes look at the Dusseldorf studio session here. The video - featuring Chris Martin and dancer Christian Fandrey - was then filmed on the streets of Helsinki between the band’s four sold-out shows at the city’s Olympiastadion. Watch the video at youtu.be/HNUSAQDz4jA.

Coldplay's Music of the Spheres World Tour began in March 2022. This past June, the band said that the jaunt, currently in Munich, has produced 59% less CO2e emissions than their previous stadium tour in 2016/17 and exceeded the original target of a 50% reduction. Nine million trees have been planted (one for each ticket sold).

Track listing:

1. Moon Music 

2. Feels Like I'm Falling in Love

3. We Pray ft. Little Simz, Burna Boy, Elyanna & Tini

4. Jupiter
5. Good Feelings ft. Ayra Starr
6. 
7. Iaam
8. Aeterna
9. All My Love
10. One World 

In related news:

The Rhythms Del Mundo music project just put out a new EP featuring a Cuban re-imagination of Coldplay's hit “Clocks” as well as U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and Sting’s “Fragilidad.”

The project is in support of the environmental charity Artists Project Earth (APE). All profits generated by APE from the EP will help fund effective projects and initiatives to combat climate change and provide relief from natural disasters. So far, the funds raised have been instrumental in supporting 350 initiatives focused on climate change and disaster relief.

Coldplay, Sting and U2 all agreed to re-join the project to raise awareness of climate change and providing funds for natural disaster relief. 

Track listing:

1. RDM feat. Coldplay: “Clocks”

2. RDM feat. Sting: “Fragilidad”
3. RDM feat. Omara Portuondo: “Killing Me Softly”
4. RDM feat. U2: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
5. RDM feat. Ibrahim Ferrer & Omara Portuondo: “Casablanca (As Time Goes By)”

Coldplay photo by Anna Lee, courtesy Atlantic Records

Jimmy Eat World's 'Futures' and 'Surviving' slated for fall LP reimagined reissues

Alternative rock band Jimmy Eat World is gearing up for the 20th anniversary of the gold-certified fifth studio album, Futures (2004 / Interscope Records), and the 5th anniversary of their 10th studio album, Surviving (2019 / RCA Records).

To commemorate, and to close out their three-chapter series, the Arizona quartet has made Futures: Phoenix Sessions (Chapter V) and Surviving: Phoenix Sessions (Chapter X) available on vinyl for the first time. The albums were self-produced by Jimmy Eat World and mixed by Jim Adkins with both being made available this fall via the band’s Exotic Location Recordings imprint and can be pre-ordered through the band's webstore (here). They are scheduled for October.

Both limited-edition releases were recorded live as part of their 2021 Phoenix Sessions, a partnership with Danny Wimmer Presents on a global streaming performance series filmed at the Icehouse in Phoenix, AZ. (watch here)

When discussing the recording process for Futures, the band explains it was “our darkest album and was the hardest for us to make. Futures was the first record we made where we didn’t feel like we were making it anonymously.” (Futures arrived three years after their breakthrough, the platinum-certified Bleed American, which contained the enduring hit “The Middle.”)

Despite Futures “being a super challenging record to make,” they add, “we pushed through and ended up with an album we are super proud of to this day. Being able to reimagine it as a live recording so many years later for the Phoenix Sessions was an amazing experience, and we hope you enjoy reliving it again as much as we did.”

The Futures: Phoenix Sessions 2-LP set will be on blizzard colored vinyl, and its gatefold package comes with exclusive photos by Steve Thrasher, notes from the band, and an exclusive 20th anniversary etching on side D.

The Surviving: Phoenix Sessions LP will be pressed on Fade to Black colored vinyl, and it includes an insert with behind-the-scenes photos by Steve Thrasher.

To mark the 25th anniversary of Clarity (1999 / Capitol), in February 2024 the band released Clarity: Phoenix Sessions (Chapter III), a limited-edition two-LP pressed on sunkissed colored vinyl. For those looking to order all three chapters, you can now do so here.

Jimmy Eat World’s only hometown show of 2024 sees the band performing Futures in its entirety on October 17 at The Van Buren in Phoenix, AZ. Tickets to this one-night-only event will be available beginning this coming Friday, August 16, at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com.

Tickets to all tour dates can be found at JimmyEatWorld.com.

‘FUTURES: PHOENIX SESSIONS’
2-LP LIMITED-EDITION, HAND POURED BLIZZARD COLOR EFFECT VINYL

1. Futures
2. Just Tonight
3. Work
4. Kill
5. The World You Love
6. Pain
7. Drugs or Me
8. Polaris
9. Nothing Wrong
10. Night Drive
11. 23

‘SURVIVING: PHOENIX SESSIONS’

SINGLE LP LIMITED-EDITION ON FADE TO BLACK COLORED VINYL

1. Surviving

2. Criminal Energy
3. Delivery
4. 555
5. One Mil
6. All the Way (Stay)
7. Diamond
8. Love Never
9. Recommit
10. Congratulations

Violent Femmes' second album to get 40th anniversary LP reissue in November

Craft Recordings and Violent Femmes are commemorating 40 years of the band’s sophomore title, Hallowed Ground, with a vinyl reissue. Set for release on November 8 and available for pre-order now, the LP has been mastered from the original stereo tapes. 

In addition to the standard vinyl, widely available for the first time in over a decade, Hallowed Ground can also be found in four limited color pressings, including a Green Smoke variant (available at vfemmes.com and craftrecordings.com), Orange Smoke (independent record stores), Azure Blue (Barnes & Noble) and Onyx (Spotify Fans First, available exclusively to followers). To mark this milestone, Violent Femmes are currently on a North America tour (see below).

First released in May of 1984, Hallowed Ground includes contributions from banjo player Tony Trischka on “Country Death Song” and “It’s Gonna Rain,” and saxophonist John Zorn on “Black Girls.”

The album’s lyrics delve into themes of faith, redemption and existential contemplation. This marked a bold departure from the more straightforward pop sound of the band’s debut, which featured beloved teen angst anthems like “Blister in the Sun,” “Add It Up” and “Kiss Off.” The record’s unique lyrical approach and haunting melodies created a deeply introspective and immersive listening experience that intrigued—and initially divided—listeners, including the band members themselves.

In a 2012 interview with the Houston Chronicle, Brian Ritchie offered insight into the album’s creation and its initial reception, reflecting, “To me, it’s more punk to defy your audience than to play what they want to hear. But we lost our audience that way.” Speaking to the fact that both the debut and Hallowed Ground were written while Gano was still in high school, he added, “Ironically, we had the material for both albums. We could’ve put out a double or released Hallowed Ground first and then the debut. We chose to make the first one a pop album and Hallowed Ground a sprawling exploration of American roots music. We’re not considered in the Americana category . . .”

Click here to pre-order or stream/download Violent Femmes’ Hallowed Ground (40th Anniversary Edition).

Track Listing:

Side A
1. Country Death Song
2. I Hear The Rain
3. Never Tell
4. Jesus Walking On The Water
5. I Know It’s True But I’m Sorry To Say

Side B
1. Hallowed Ground
2. Sweet Misery Blues
3. Black Girls
4. It’s Gonna Rain

Tour Dates:

8/14: Northampton, MA – The Pines Theater
8/16: Centre Wellington, ON, Canada – Riverfest Elora 2024
8/17: Lafayette, NY – Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards
8/18: Middlefield, CT – Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort
9/7: Copper Mountain, CO – Union Peak Festival 2024
9/8: Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater
9/9: Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater
9/21: Southwest, DC – HFStival 2024
9/26: Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues Orlando
9/27: Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater
9/28: St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
9/29: St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
10/1: Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
10/2: Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
10/4: Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
10/5: Asheville, NC – Rabbit Rabbit
10/6: Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
10/8: Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company
10/9: Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center